7th Sunday Year C. Lk. Fr Donal McIlraith

The Sermon on the Plain

Text: Luke 6:27-38:

[27] "But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
[28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
[29] To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
[30] Give to everyone who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again.
[31] And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.
[32] "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.                                                                                                                                
[33] And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
[34] And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
[35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.
[36] Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
[37] "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
[38] give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

1. This is obviously a part of Jesus’ teaching, indeed, his commands, that we need to come back to again and again. In the first part (vv27-31) the disciples are being ordered to love those who hate and persecute them, to give freely and to keep the golden rule. In the second half (vv 32-38) Jesus tells the disciples that this love will get them a reward in heaven. They must be merciful as God is merciful, avoid judgment and give freely so that God will give them freely.
2. Acting nicely to those who hate us is never going to be easy, but this is what Jesus did in his passion. Luke tells us he kept repeating, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do (Lk 23:34). St Thomas Aquinas reminds us that Jesus did not turn the other cheek when he was slapped during his passion (JN 18:22). The issue is not physically turning the cheek but having the good of those who hurt us in our hearts. We must still love them ...Read more